Metztli

Metztli is the Nahuatl word for “moon” and the name of a central deity in Aztec mythology. This figure, sometimes rendered as Meztli or Metzi, was associated with the moon, night, and farmers. As a lunar deity, Metztli played a role in the agricultural calendar, and the moon’s phases governed planting and harvesting cycles. The name is unisex in historical contexts, though recorded traditions sometimes depict the deity as male or female. In modern usage, Metztli has become a given name, particularly among those who wish to honor Indigenous Nahua heritage. Its variant Meztli is a common alternative spelling. The name’s direct referent, ‘moon’, makes it evocative for themes of simplicity and natural beauty.

• Meaning: “moon”
• Origin: Nahuatl, Aztec civilization
• Type: Given name, also a theonym
• Usage regions: Some usage in Mexico and among people in the United States and Canada with interest in Mesoamerican cultures